It was out with the old and in with the new as many headed to Ngozi Farm and Cultural Sanctuary, Turners Hall, St Andrew, to celebrate Kwanzaa in fine style on Saturday.
Before a crowd of smiling yet Black-conscious faces, Minister of State within the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture Senator Dr Shantal Munroe Knight declared a blessing on all who were present.
“I am declaring an increase in good health. I also want to declare an increase in wisdom — of more wisdom of greater wisdom. The wisdom you had in 2022 is not going to work in 2023. I also want to declare an increase in prosperity, very often we talk about prosperity, so I declare more that is good on all of you,” she said.
Recalling that Black Barbadians are on a journey of rebuilding, she said that part of the message must be about saying boldly who they are to the world.
“It is for this reason that the government in this context of the taskforce for reparations will be ensuring that in 2023 that we continue to say very loudly and very clearly to the world that there was an international theft that took place,” she said, adding that the theft meant there are perpetrators, victims and there should be restitution.
Minister of State within the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture Senator Dr Shantal Munroe Knight.
She said that the reparatory justice fight is more than demanding money but that people who were stolen from have a right to demand justice.
She added that Barbadians have much to be proud of.
“When you understand history and the words of our national anthem and how these fields and hills now belong to us, and the struggles we went through for them, it should make you walk a little bit differently. It should make us all hold our heads up a little bit differently as well,” she said.
She said that the sixth day of Kwanzaa known as Kuumba, which was celebrated on Saturday, was a call to do more creatively.
“We want to challenge all of you to a call to action, this word of creativity, that we use our collective talents to use this earth and leave it in a much better place,” she said.
Organizer of the event Ireka Jelani said that unification is key. She was speaking for the second Kwanzaa celebration under the theme, “Relating to the Past, Understanding the Present and Preparing for the Future”.
“We as African people need to unite more, love each other more, share more even if it is a word of kindness or thought,” the agricultural entrepreneur said prior to a very special candle lighting ceremony in celebration of Kwanzaa.
The blessing ceremony was officiated by Archbishop Desmond Amy who performed a blessing for Kuumba, backed by rhythmic drumming by the Pinelands Creative Workshop and dancing by the Haynesville Youth Group.
Writer and Tutor Linda Deane told Barbados TODAY she was proud to be part of the event.
“Events like this are important because I’m trying to educate myself. Events like this need to grow and they need to become more of the mainstream and not so much on the fringe. We need to embrace all aspects of our culture and our awareness,” she said.
Briton Tony Excell and his wife said that they were happy to visit the farm.
“This is absolutely beautiful. There is a lot of self-sufficiency happening here and there is a lot of growing of fruit and vegetables. This is the best way to go into the new year,” he said.
The event climaxed with a big feast with many farm rich foods. (MR)
